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Friday, September 24, 2010

XXX (as in 30, not that other thing it means...)

Even as an adult, I still can't help but get excited about my birthday. It has nothing to do with presents or parties or attention or anything like that -- I just love the day. I love the way September 19th looks written down and I love seeing it approaching on the calendar. There's just something that feels special and almost electric about it. Maybe it's just from writing it down so many times on doctor's forms, bank forms, when I sign up for things online? Whatever it is, when September 19th gets here, even if I don't do anything but my usual work routine, I just feel a little different.

This year I turned the big 3-0 and, though I didn't plan to do anything until the very last minute, and though it freaked me out a little bit to be turning another decade, it ended up being one of my favorite birthdays. After a really wonderful dinner on Saturday night, I got to have a lovely birthday brunch with Neill and my brother and sister in law Sunday, then go on to watch the San Francisco Giants obliterate the Milwaukee Brewers and take first place in their division (which they promptly lost, then re-won, then lost, then re-won again last night...torture). And in the very middle of the 5th inning, the coolest thing happened.

I thought it was odd when my sister in law came from 3 seats down to sit by me, then even odder when she told me to stand up and look out at the field so she could take my picture (why just me? why looking at the field?)...but then I saw it:

There on the jumbotron, after a couple of other birthday messages and a thanks to some sponsor, was the message my own parents had arranged for the week before: "Happy 30th Birthday Hilary 'Clark' Callis". I screamed and jumped up and down and could not stop laughing. It was something completely unexpected and so utterly cool...they had even asked for the name of my most favorite baseball player of all time (and crush throughout most of my childhood) to be included in there, too (Neill didn't mind). Almost a week later, and I still feel giddy. I will likely never play baseball for the San Francisco Giants, but I can be happy knowing that my name has been up in the lights of their ballpark.

32 comments:

happy birthday, hilary! (i must confess, i wasn't sure what i was clicking through to with the XXX in the title. and then i remembered, oh, Latin! sigh, thank god it is friday.) sounds like you had a wonderful celebration. and my, that shrug is GORGEOUS.

Happy belated birthday!! Sounds like it was a good one. I am also turning the big 3-0 next month, hope mine is as fun. I would love to see my name on the screen at the orioles game, but the chances of them ever still playing on oct 15 seem to be slim

Since my Cardinals are out of it this year, I have sort of adopted the Giants as the team I'd like to see in the playoffs (having finally recovered from the Giants breaking my heart in the 2002 NLCS!). I love good pitching and their staff is awesome. As is Buster Posey. Plus I've been reading your blog for long enough to know you're a Giants fan, and I've been thinking of you while I've watched the scoreboard. Last night's game was great.

Happy Birthday! I am with you - I get excited every year and take the day off of work as a gift to myself. I have the big 40 coming up in 2011 and I am angling for a NY trip - fingers crossed! How cool - such a baseball fan - that you would get your name on the big screen. Even though I am from Wisconsin, I am glad to hear the Brewers were obliterated on your big day;) (I'm a Cubs fan - hee) AND the sweater - magnificent!

Wooo!! Such a cool, thoughtful ting for your parents to give you on your birthday! I totally agree about one's birthday having that "electric" feel. That's the perfect way to describe it.I'm glad to hear you had such a great day!Happy 30 :)